Peter Lopez Jr.'s Blog: Xulon Press Blog , page 6

Get in the Writing Zone: Xulon Press Has 5 New Spotify Playlists!

We are so excited to announce this new feature for all the writers out there who love to listen to music while they work. We are now on Spotify with five playlists that were carefully curated to help you stay focused, motivated, and inspired while you write. Xulon Press Spotify Playlists The first playlist is the Christian Writer’s Playlist, which is perfect for those who love Christian music and want to keep their writing sessions uplifting and positive. This playlist features some of the best Christian songs that will inspire you to keep going, even on the toughest writing days. The second playlist is The Writer’s Playlist, which is a mix of different moods that will help you stay focused and productive. From upbeat jazz to calming instrumentals, this playlist has something for every writer. If you’re someone who loves listening to ambient sounds while you work, then our Soundscapes for Writing playlist is perfect for you. This playlist features a collection of nature sounds, white noise, and other calming sounds that will help you relax and focus on your writing. For those who prefer to journal in the evenings, we have created the Evening Journaling Session playlist. This playlist features calming and soothing music to help you wind down after a long day and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. If you’re someone who likes to start your day with journaling, then our Morning Journaling Session playlist is perfect for you. This playlist features uplifting and energizing songs that will help you start your day on a positive note and set the tone for a productive day ahead. Our Spotify Will Continue to Grow and Evolve We will continually add new songs and playlists, so be sure to follow us on Spotify to stay up to date with our latest additions. Our playlists are designed to help you stay motivated, focused, and inspired while you write, and we hope you find them helpful. 5 Benefits of Listening to Music as You Write Listening to music while writing can have many benefits! We’ve outlined five benefits you can experience (but there are so many): 1. Improved Focus Listening to music while writing can help you block out distractions and increase your concentration. It can also create a mental space that’s free from the noise and chatter of the outside world, allowing you to solely focus on your work. 2. Enhanced Creativity Music has the power to stimulate the imagination and inspire creativity. By listening to music that resonates with you, you can tap into your creative side and come up with new ideas and perspectives. 3. Increased Productivity When you listen to music that you enjoy, it can boost your mood and energy levels, making you more productive. Music can also help you maintain a steady pace and rhythm while you write, which helps you to work more efficiently. 4. Reduced Stress Writing can be a stressful process, but listening to music can help alleviate this stress. Music has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. 5. Elevated Mood Listening to music that you love can elevate your mood and make the writing process more enjoyable. It can help you to feel more positive, motivated, and inspired, and can make the writing process feel less like a chore and more like a fulfilling creative pursuit. Get Plugged In  Follow us on Spotify, try out our playlists, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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The Best First Lines of Fiction

By your side is a ratty notebook, bruised black and blue with the smeared ink of furiously scribbled ideas that came to you at midnight, dotted with translucence from the epiphany you had about your villain, while still wet from a shower.  You’ve finally decided to write the story that has been stirring around in your heart and mind—now what do you start typing on that blank page facing you? How do you introduce readers to the crazy, beautiful world in your head?  Starting a novel is tricky, but those first few lines are vital to your book. The characters, setting, tone, and mood are all dependent on the reader’s first impression of the universe you are creating. To illustrate just some of your options, I have collected some examples of the best first lines in literature. 5 Best First Lines “In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald It’s a classic for a reason, people. Beginning with a lingering thought makes us wonder just what that advice could be. This also draws the vague shape of the narrator, namely that he is no longer young, but not necessarily old, either; he is at an intangible age somewhere between. He is also the type of introspective person who would ruminate for years on a piece of sage counsel. Fitzgerald packs loads of characterization into a short sentence.  “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”  1984 by George Orwell A simple statement takes an unexpected turn and reveals a surprising detail about this world you are stepping into. Starting a novel with a startling and unique piece of description is one guaranteed way to gain a reader’s attention. In this specific example, we see the world we know fused with a world of the unknown—where the comforts of clocks that chime and months named April are interrupted by the unsettling existence of that thirteenth hour.  “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”  Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Sometimes we should get to know the character in her own space completing an everyday task her own way. Not only does this establish the character’s personality (as we can see, Clarissa Dalloway can be a bit of a control freak), but also sets the tone for the story. This statement has an air of pretension as we imagine why such importance is placed on trimmings such as flowers. “Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.” Ulysses by James Joyce  Yes, sometimes a solid description can be absolutely wonderful. The key here is to make the description meaningful; it needs to lead somewhere and say something in itself through the imagery. Showing instead of telling is of overwhelming importance here. Avoid the tired description of scenery as your opening unless it is absolutely sparkling and integral to the scene. “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”  One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez This example combines two intriguing ideas: beginning with a dramatic moment and beginning with a shift in time. Starting a novel with your character in obvious trouble is one way to jump right into the action. Readers will begin to care about him immediately, and you have an opportunity to lead up to this moment. It can be helpful to muse on examples but always listen to your inner voice. You are a writer because you have a story to tell and a message to portray. Ask your characters and they will tell you how to introduce them to the world. What are your favorite tips when it comes to starting a novel? Originally published August 15, 2019. GET IN TOUCH Publish your best first line with us!  

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How to Live a More Creative Life

Creativity isn’t just for people who study or work in creative fields. In fact, we all can enhance our personal and professional lives by adding more creativity throughout our day. If you’re interested in living a more creative life, start by incorporating different types of creativity and being more intentional about making creativity a priority. Embrace Your Inner Child Again If you loved putting together puzzles or coloring as a child, try your hand at these favorite pastimes again. As adults, soothing activities like these can help reduce stress, which in turn creates more room for fun and play—or creativity. If you have children or grandchildren, start up a fun game of make-believe. Putting both your heads together to create make-believe situations isn’t unlike writing a novel. Schedule Creative Time Prioritizing creative time is the best way to ensure you actually allow yourself to be creative. If you don’t schedule the time with yourself, you’re less likely to allow yourself to enjoy it. Without planned creative time, you’ll always find a reason to put household chores, work, or something else ahead of it. Surround Yourself with Other Creative People Much like having a team of people at work to bounce ideas off of in order to find new and creative solutions, the same can be said for surrounding yourself with creative people in your personal life. These people can help you stay committed to the creative life, they can creatively brainstorm with you, and they can provide a different point of view when you’re feeling stuck. Turn Off Your Phone (or at least set it to DND) Spending too much time tethered to technology can put a drain on your creativity. The constant nag of notifications, endless scrolling through other people’s highlight reels on social media, and pouring over information can have a negative effect on creativity. Instead, take time away from your phone or computer to give yourself a rest. Let Go of the Idea of Perfection One of the biggest roadblocks to creativity is believing everything you do has to be perfect in order for you to do it. Once you’re able to let go of the need to be perfect in your creativity, the more you’ll enjoy your creative time. Slow Down, and Pay Attention to What’s Around You Rushing from place to place and task to task doesn’t leave much room to experience the goings-on around you. Next time you go for a walk, take your phone and snap photos of flowers, buildings, or something else that inspires you along your walk. Instead of packing your day full of errands, allow some room for a picnic in the park or something else that helps you relax and enjoy the moment. Start a New Hobby A new hobby is a great way to trick yourself into being more creative. Try baking new recipes on Saturday mornings or learn embroidery or start playing a new musical instrument. The more you continue to learn, the more you open yourself up to being creative. Know That You Won’t Always Feel Creative or Inspired You’ll still experience a day every now and then when you don’t feel particularly creative, and that’s okay. If you aren’t getting paid for your creativity, you don’t have to force yourself to be creative when you aren’t feeling it. Some days, the brain just needs to recharge. Learn more about living creatively!

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5 Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block

You’ve come so far in your writer’s journey. You’ve taken on the challenge of writing a book, carved out time in your schedule to make your dream a reality, and begun giving your thoughts life. Now, you hear a faint knocking on the page where you’ve left off, and sure enough, an unwanted visitor has made an appearance. Overcoming writer’s block is one of the biggest annoyances in the business, so we’re bringing you five strategies to get you to put pen to paper again. 1. Slow Down in Silence As a writer, it’s understandable when your book has taken over your mind’s eye, making it hard to fill your head with other thoughts–and even harder when writer’s block prevents you from doing so. The first step to working past this block should always start where it is occurring–in the mind. However, working to put more thoughts on top of the writer’s block would be like piling up more cars in a traffic jam, causing even more vexation than before. The best way to fix the issue is to clear out the current thoughts so that the right thoughts can begin to flow. This can be accomplished by simply slowing down and being silent. Let your creativity loose by taking off the reigns of your mind and finding where your thoughts can go when unrestrained by outside–and inside–distractions. 2. Go on a Walk As writers, it’s often difficult to get out of our heads, but that’s usually quite a successful remedy for overcoming writer’s block. And we all know that sitting at our desks, staring at our computer screens, will only bring frustration. There’s no better way to get out of your head than to get your head outside, so shut that laptop, put down the pen, and go take a walk! Movement is key to letting your mind wander down whichever path your subconscious may fancy, and it simultaneously helps to calm your nervous system so you can clearly embrace the journey your thoughts will take when away from your work. Being outside and listening to the sounds of nature will bring added benefit to the calming effects a walk will have on your mind. You may even be surprised at how some observations will guide your thoughts to where your story should go next! 3. Work in a New Environment While most cases of writer’s block begin in the mind, some can be merely caused by an external factor, especially your work environment. If you’re writing at your desk, in a home office, or at your kitchen table, you may have become too familiar with your workspace–and that means your creativity has as well. There are only so many possibilities and plot points that can be inspired from the interior of your home, so try shaking up your environment by going out into the world to work. Find a cozy coffee shop, a bustling cafe, or a tranquil park. You may stumble upon your much-needed inspiration where you least expect it. 4. Revisit Your Past Work Sometimes the best way to start writing again is to remember the simple fact that you can. Reading over your past work is an excellent strategy to return you to the posture of writing. Refresh yourself on the skills that made you the writer you are today by soaking up your signature style that proved your capability to take on this new project. Not only does this method remind you of your technique and how you’ve implemented it in the past, but it’s also a valuable form of self encouragement. There’s no greater testament to your prowess as a writer than your writing itself, so make a cup of tea, sink into your favorite chair, and become your own number-one fan as you peruse through your previous pages. 5. Write… Anything! Although writer’s block can rear its head for several well known reasons, one of the least acknowledged is the rut in which we can often find ourselves stuck when we are too hyper-focused on the content of our current body of work. For example, if you’re trapped at a plot point and don’t know where the story should turn next, it’s all too easy to have questions about your next sentence taking up all the space in your thoughts, making your mind not unlike a broken record. Focusing too heavily on a specific scene in your story can prevent you from implementing your subconscious in your writing. To avoid this, just start writing…anything! Jot down observations from your day or a conversation you had with a friend. You’ll soon find that this may trigger your character’s next move, or even help you tie up your book’s loose ends. Keep Reading Read more tips on overcoming writer’s block:

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“The First Corridor” by Andrew Huck Voted March Book of the Month

This is such an exciting Book of the Month because the Xulon Press team voted The First Corridor, an adventurous, Christian Fantasy novel by Andrew Huck, as our March selection. To learn more about The First Corridor and its author, we interviewed Andrew Huck for all the details on our latest Book of the Month. What inspired you to write The First Corridor? Several years ago, I was reading Phantastes by George MacDonald, and it was such a good story, I just really wanted to write my own faerie story in that vein. I started writing about a young man who saw a star fall to the earth and went to investigate. So began what would eventually become The First Corridor. Obviously, the published story is quite a bit different from the original first draft, but it still maintains to a degree some of that original inspiration. How long did it take you to write your book? I started writing this story in December 2014, and probably had it in a semi-finished form by 2018–19, but then the book went through several revisions until I completely rewrote it between July 2019 and the spring/summer of 2020. The story remained the same, but the structure was dramatically altered. Then I went through some more editing until I finally reached out to Xulon Press in spring 2022. So from start to finish, about 8 years. Were there any challenges you faced while writing this book, and if so, how did you overcome them? I think the biggest challenge I faced with this book was the editing process. There was a lot of trimming to do from the first draft to the second, and even more when I actually rewrote the story.  Was there a specific part of your publishing journey that you enjoyed more than you thought you would? I found the process of going through the approval process for the book and the cover design to be more exciting than I would have anticipated. Of course, proofreading was a fairly labor-intensive process, but seeing the book in its final form was worth the effort. What do you hope readers will take away from your book? I hope readers will get a sense of something greater going on outside of what they might consider the mundane. There’s an adventure out there waiting for all of us if we just open our eyes to see it—the great adventure of following God’s leading in our lives. Are you working on anything new at the moment that we can share with readers? I’ve been working on the sequel to The First Corridor. There’s some pretty exciting stuff that’s slated to happen in the story, so stay tuned! Meet Andrew Huck Andrew Huck grew up in Iowa and loved making up stories with friends, reading, and even writing stories on his own. So, it’s only natural that Andrew would pursue storytelling as a career. He studied digital media production in college with the intent of becoming a filmmaker but had a change of heart and decided to write novels instead because his love of writing never went away. These days, Andrew resides in Iowa and enjoys reading, writing, gaming, and other creative pursuits. Where to Purchase The First Corridor Amazon B&N Xulon Press Bookstore Connect with the Author Find more inspiration from Andrew Huck on social media. Facebook: Andrew Huck Author

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With Childlike Faith: A New Way to Look at the Crucifixion

She hung close to her mom as she watched the man carrying a cross down the aisle. She let out a shriek and tried to run to help him when they whipped his back. She cried with him, helpless as she watched the horrible scene unfold before her, so emotional that she had to be carried away. The deep sorrow and inexpressible joy that comes with the resurrection story is incomparable. Written by the finger of God from the beginning of time, it is unlike any story that could ever be written by man. During this time of the year, we hear this story in many different ways. We see various displays of the cross, so much that we run the risk of becoming desensitized to it all. But seeing my niece’s reaction to watching her dad play the part of Jesus in the church’s Easter play brought it back to reality. In her eyes, the man that meant the world to her, who she loved with all her heart and soul, was being attacked, going through such suffering, and there was nothing she could do about it. Jesus, however, said, “Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to people like these” (Matt. 19:14, ISV). Emotional? Yes, we were created as emotional beings, in reflection of God’s heart. Innocent? I hope so. I hope we have not lost the purity in our hearts that would be appalled by the evils the enemy inspires in this world. He tried to completely annihilate our Savior, and on the cross, it looked like he had succeeded. But that’s not the whole story. Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, he resurrected (just like He said), roaring with life in abundance like the Lion of Judah He is. “Why are you crying?” Jesus asked the woman looking for His dead body. He is alive; the victory has been won for us all; our God reigns! I invite you to celebrate with us in the inexpressible joy and innocence of a child, to praise, sing, shout, and dance your heart out in worship to our triumphant King. Jesus said, “Remember Me,” and we do so with joy because we remember Him as victorious. Happy Resurrection Sunday! For biblical studies books, visit the Xulon Press Bookstore. Originally published March 26, 2016.

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Crafting Delight: Writing an Easter-Themed Children’s Book

Writing a children’s book centered around Easter can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Capturing the wonder and joy of the Easter season in a way that engages young readers requires thoughtful planning and creativity. Here are some tips to help you craft a captivating Easter-themed children’s book. Write with Readers’ Ages in Mind To decide on the appropriate age range for your book, consider the complexity of the story you want to share, the level of vocabulary you’ll use, and the themes explored. By understanding the developmental stages and interests of different age groups, you can tailor your book to resonate with and captivate your intended audience. Select Your Theme and Message Easter is often associated with themes of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. Incorporating these themes into your story can help children connect with the deeper meaning of the holiday. Whether through a heartwarming tale of friendship, a magical adventure, or a story of overcoming challenges, weaving these themes into your narrative can add depth and resonance to your book. Create Your Characters Children are naturally drawn to relatable characters with whom they can empathize. Consider creating endearing animal characters, curious children, or even friendly Easter bunnies to guide readers through the narrative. Developing well-rounded and engaging characters will help young readers become invested in the story and its message. Focus on Easter Traditions From the resurrection of Christ to Easter egg hunts and colorful eggs to blooming flowers and joyful celebrations, these elements can infuse your story with the spirit of the season. Whether it’s a quest to find the elusive Golden Egg or a tale of a shy bunny learning the true meaning of Easter, integrating these familiar symbols can make your book feel festive and relevant to young readers. Infuse Your Storytelling with Imagery Embrace the magic of storytelling by infusing your book with warmth, humor, and creativity. Use vivid illustrations and descriptive language to bring the Easter setting to life and consider incorporating playful rhymes or lyrical prose to make the story memorable and engaging for young readers. Final Thoughts By infusing your Easter-themed children’s book with meaningful themes, lovable characters, festive traditions, and creative storytelling, you can create a captivating and heartwarming tale that will enchant young readers and capture the spirit of Easter. GET IN TOUCH Connect with a Xulon Press Publishing Expert Today!

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Writing Tips: 5 Things Every Devotional Should Contain

One of the most popular types of manuscripts we publish at Xulon Press is a devotional. While a writing a devotional may sound like a simple task, there are many that lack the basic “bones” every devotional needs to be successful (and most of all, helpful to the reader). So, here’s a list of what every devotional should contain: It doesn’t matter what you decide on theme, entry length, overall book length, or the use of verses, the most important thing is to keep it consistent while writing a devotional. Keep it consistent and it will be better overall, and your readers will thank you for it. Originally published: February 19, 2016. GET IN TOUCH Speak with a Xulon Press publishing expert today!

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How to Write a Children’s Book

Writing a children’s book may be the most fun a writer can have, but there’s a lot more planning and research that goes into children’s books than you might think. From deciding on your reading audience to making the story age-appropriate and dialing in your story to the right Flesch-Kincaid reading level, we’re covering everything in this article that you need to know about writing a great children’s book. There are five things every children’s book writer should keep in mind: 1. Decide On the Audience for Your Children’s Book Sometimes the book idea comes first, and the idea will dictate your reading audience. Other times, you’ll need to decide on your target audience first. Are you writing a picture book that will be read aloud to babies or toddlers? Maybe you decide to write a picture book elementary school children can read to themselves. Each age group has different needs and interests, so it’s important to keep this in mind as you write. 2. Make the Story Age-Appropriate Once you’ve decided on your audience, make sure that the story you’re telling is age-appropriate for them. Younger kids might not be ready for complex themes or hard to read words, while older kids may think simpler stories boring. Make sure the story you’re telling fits the intended age group of your book. 3. Use the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level The Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level is a tool that helps you determine the reading level of your book. Flesch-Kincaid considers sentence length, word choice, and other factors to give you a score that indicates what grade level your book is suitable for. Make sure that your book’s reading level matches your target audience. 4. Follow Standard Word Counts Children’s books come in many shapes and sizes, but there are some general parameters to follow regarding word count. Here are the standard word count ranges to keep in mind for picture books, early readers, chapter books and more: Children’s Books Middle Grade Chapter Books Young Adult (YA) Books Make sure that your book’s word count is in the range for its intended audience. 5. Use an Illustrator for Picture Books If you’re writing a picture book, work with a professional illustrator to bring your story to life. A great artist can use illustrations to add emotion and depth to your story. Be sure to choose an illustrator who shares your vision for your book and has an artistic style that complements your story. Originally published September 8, 2023. Get in Touch Ready to publish a book for kids?

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Do I Need an Epilogue?

If you read a lot of novels, you’ve seen that some authors will use an epilogue at the end of their books. The sole purpose is to tie up loose ends from your story — or potentially set the readers up to expect a sequel.

An epilogue has to be strong if it’s going to make it through a round of professional editing. If it’s not, you may get a note back from your editor that it needs to be incorporated into the actual ending of your novel.

That’s the tricky part about epilogues — it can’t be used to hide the fact that your book’s ending is somewhat lackluster. So, how do you know if you need to include one at the end of your novel? Here are three questions to help you decide.

Do I Need an Epilogue?

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

1. Are there any lingering questions readers may have about my protagonist that need to be answered after the ending?

If you need to show readers what happens to your protagonist a year or more into the future after the ending, then you should include the epilogue. This can be a useful way to answer any last questions. Did the protagonist actually get married after her boyfriend proposed? If so, maybe you flash forward to the wedding day. Did your protagonist go on to win a Medal of Honor after distinguishing himself by an act of valor at the end of your historical fiction novel? Definitely use an epilogue to share the awards ceremony.

2. Am I trying to overcompensate for a weak ending?

Making it to the end of your story is an arduous writing skill, so it’s best to focus and make your ending as strong as you possibly can. Don’t skirt by the ending just to add an epilogue on top of it. If your ending is strong enough, you’ll rarely need one.

3. Am I trying to set up for a sequel?

If your goal of the epilogue is to create a space to imply a sequel is coming, then definitely include the epilogue. Avoid using any cliffhangers in your epilogue though. Use the epilogue to develop a lead-in story arc for a new character in your next book. This will hint to readers that your next book will follow someone else.

Does your ending need a stronger finish? Try  finishing your novel  with tips from our editorial team.

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